Atletico Madrid release statement on Arsenal target Julian Alvarez | OneFootball

Atletico Madrid have released a new statement to the public ruling out any possibility of allowing Julian Alvarez to join Barcelona this summer, boosting Arsenal’s hopes of the signing.

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Atletico Madrid have released a statement confirming their Board of Directors have unanimously backed their decision not to negotiate the transfer of Julian Alvarez with FC Barcelona.

The statement reads: “Atletico de Madrid is open to negotiations typical of the transfer market, but always in an ethical and professional manner and with respect between the clubs.

“We fully support the position previously communicated by the club that FC Barcelona has not complied with these requirements and, consequently, there has been and will be no negotiation with them regarding the transfer of Julian Alvarez.”

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Atletico conclude the statement by saying that they are confident the player will understand the decision and focus on working to the best of his ability to help the club achieve their goals.

However, Atletico make no mention of Alvarez’s potential move to Arsenal, leaving open the possibility that he could join the Gunners if he’s willing to do so.

Atletico are clearly completely against selling to Barcelona, but they haven’t suggested they’ll refuse a sale to any bidder. As long as Arsenal have shown the ‘respect’ and ‘professional manner’ Atletico are requesting, they should still be in the case.

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Reports in the last 24 hours have suggested that Alvarez has finally accepted that his only route out of Atletico is to join Arsenal, and that his club won’t let him move to Barcelona.

The Gunners are reportedly willing to surpass their club-record transfer fee (£105m for Declan Rice) to sign Alvarez, and they’ve positioned themselves to strike if the player shows a willingness to join.

Photo by Fran Santiago/Getty Images